Beard and Stache Fest 2013 Kick Off

Hirsute men of the Seattle area gathered over the weekend to show off their soup strainers and smooch stiflers.

By BY JORDAN STEAD

on February 25, 2013 11:24 AM

Photo: JORDAN STEAD

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Bruce Roe, president of Bremerton's Whisker Club, checks out a number of donation cans for other bearded competitors at the kickoff of the fifth annual Beard and Stache Fest on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, at Hilliard's Beer in Seattle, Wash. The night's events kicked off a month-long competition featuring over 100 furry-faced men. All donations benefited foster children in King County. less

Bruce Roe, president of Bremerton's Whisker Club, checks out a number of donation cans for other bearded competitors at the kickoff of the fifth annual Beard and Stache Fest on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, at ... more

John Jurgens, a third place winner in a year past, poses for a portrait at the kickoff of the fifth annual Beard and Stache Fest on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, at Hilliard's Beer in Seattle, Wash. The night's events kicked off a month-long competition featuring over 100 furry-faced men. All donations benefited foster children in King County. less

John Jurgens, a third place winner in a year past, poses for a portrait at the kickoff of the fifth annual Beard and Stache Fest on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, at Hilliard's Beer in Seattle, Wash. The night's events ... more

Photo: JORDAN STEAD

John Jurgens, a third place winner in a year past, poses for a... Photo-4245979.57394 - NewsTimes

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Donald Markwick, a three-time second place winner, poses for a portrait at the kickoff of the fifth annual Beard and Stache Fest on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, at Hilliard's Beer in Seattle, Wash. The night's events kicked off a month-long competition featuring over 100 furry-faced men. All donations benefited foster children in King County. less

Donald Markwick, a three-time second place winner, poses for a portrait at the kickoff of the fifth annual Beard and Stache Fest on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, at Hilliard's Beer in Seattle, Wash. The night's events ... more

Photo: JORDAN STEAD

Donald Markwick, a three-time second place winner, poses for a... Photo-4245946.57394 - NewsTimes

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In his second year of competing, Sultan-styled Matthew Boe poses for a portrait at the kickoff of the fifth annual Beard and Stache Fest on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, at Hilliard's Beer in Seattle, Wash. The night's events kicked off a month-long competition featuring over 100 furry-faced men. All donations benefited foster children in King County. less

In his second year of competing, Sultan-styled Matthew Boe poses for a portrait at the kickoff of the fifth annual Beard and Stache Fest on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, at Hilliard's Beer in Seattle, Wash. The ... more

Photo: JORDAN STEAD

In his second year of competing, Sultan-styled Matthew Boe poses... Photo-4245963.57394 - NewsTimes

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In his second year of competing, Sultan-styled Matthew Boe poses for a portrait at the kickoff of the fifth annual Beard and Stache Fest on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, at Hilliard's Beer in Seattle, Wash. The night's events kicked off a month-long competition featuring over 100 furry-faced men. All donations benefited foster children in King County. less

In his second year of competing, Sultan-styled Matthew Boe poses for a portrait at the kickoff of the fifth annual Beard and Stache Fest on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, at Hilliard's Beer in Seattle, Wash. The ... more

Photo: JORDAN STEAD

In his second year of competing, Sultan-styled Matthew Boe poses... Photo-4245986.57394 - NewsTimes

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Attendees enjoy company and cold Hilliard's beer at the kickoff of the fifth annual Beard and Stache Fest on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, at Hilliard's Beer in Seattle, Wash. The night's events kicked off a month-long competition featuring over 100 furry-faced men. All donations benefited foster children in King County. less

Attendees enjoy company and cold Hilliard's beer at the kickoff of the fifth annual Beard and Stache Fest on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, at Hilliard's Beer in Seattle, Wash. The night's events kicked off a ... more

Attendees enjoy company and cold Hilliard's beer at the kickoff of the fifth annual Beard and Stache Fest on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, at Hilliard's Beer in Seattle, Wash. The night's events kicked off a month-long competition featuring over 100 furry-faced men. All donations benefited foster children in King County. less

Attendees enjoy company and cold Hilliard's beer at the kickoff of the fifth annual Beard and Stache Fest on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, at Hilliard's Beer in Seattle, Wash. The night's events kicked off a ... more

From left, friends John Jurgens, Bruce Roe and Donald Markwick pose for a group portrait at the kickoff of the fifth annual Beard and Stache Fest on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, at Hilliard's Beer in Seattle, Wash. The night's events kicked off a month-long competition featuring over 100 furry-faced men. All donations benefited foster children in King County. less

From left, friends John Jurgens, Bruce Roe and Donald Markwick pose for a group portrait at the kickoff of the fifth annual Beard and Stache Fest on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, at Hilliard's Beer in Seattle, Wash. ... more

Attendees view donation cans, seeking their bearded competitor of choice at the kickoff of the fifth annual Beard and Stache Fest on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, at Hilliard's Beer in Seattle, Wash. The night's events kicked off a month-long competition featuring over 100 furry-faced men. All donations benefited foster children in King County. less

Attendees view donation cans, seeking their bearded competitor of choice at the kickoff of the fifth annual Beard and Stache Fest on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, at Hilliard's Beer in Seattle, Wash. The night's ... more

Attendees deposit money in donation cans for their bearded individual of choice at the kickoff of the fifth annual Beard and Stache Fest on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, at Hilliard's Beer in Seattle, Wash. The night's events kicked off a month-long competition featuring over 100 furry-faced men. All donations benefited foster children in King County. less

Attendees deposit money in donation cans for their bearded individual of choice at the kickoff of the fifth annual Beard and Stache Fest on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, at Hilliard's Beer in Seattle, Wash. The ... more

Competitor Josh Dand, right, laughs with a friend at the kickoff of the fifth annual Beard and Stache Fest on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, at Hilliard's Beer in Seattle, Wash. Although the event raised over 17,000 dollars last year, Dand is determined to have this year's net over 25,000 dollars. The night's events kicked off a month-long competition featuring over 100 furry-faced men. All donations benefited foster children in King County. less

Competitor Josh Dand, right, laughs with a friend at the kickoff of the fifth annual Beard and Stache Fest on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, at Hilliard's Beer in Seattle, Wash. Although the event raised over 17,000 ... more

Attendees deposit money in donation cans for their bearded individual of choice at the kickoff of the fifth annual Beard and Stache Fest on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, at Hilliard's Beer in Seattle, Wash. The night's events kicked off a month-long competition featuring over 100 furry-faced men. All donations benefited foster children in King County. less

Attendees deposit money in donation cans for their bearded individual of choice at the kickoff of the fifth annual Beard and Stache Fest on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, at Hilliard's Beer in Seattle, Wash. The ... more

Donation cans for bearded - and competing - folk sit on display at the kickoff of the fifth annual Beard and Stache Fest on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, at Hilliard's Beer in Seattle, Wash. The night's events kicked off a month-long competition featuring over 100 furry-faced men. All donations benefited foster children in King County. less

Donation cans for bearded - and competing - folk sit on display at the kickoff of the fifth annual Beard and Stache Fest on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, at Hilliard's Beer in Seattle, Wash. The night's events kicked ... more

Donation cans for bearded - and competing - folk sit on display at the kickoff of the fifth annual Beard and Stache Fest on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, at Hilliard's Beer in Seattle, Wash. The night's events kicked off a month-long competition featuring over 100 furry-faced men. All donations benefited foster children in King County. less

Donation cans for bearded - and competing - folk sit on display at the kickoff of the fifth annual Beard and Stache Fest on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, at Hilliard's Beer in Seattle, Wash. The night's events kicked ... more

Donation cans for bearded competing folk sit on display at the kickoff of the fifth annual Beard and Stache Fest on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, at Hilliard's Beer in Seattle, Wash. The night's events kicked off a month-long competition featuring over 100 furry-faced men. All donations benefited foster children in King County. less

Donation cans for bearded competing folk sit on display at the kickoff of the fifth annual Beard and Stache Fest on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, at Hilliard's Beer in Seattle, Wash. The night's events kicked off a ... more

Brian Lane, of the "Cinco de Beardo" team, deposits money in a donation can for a competing bearded individual at the kickoff of the fifth annual Beard and Stache Fest on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, at Hilliard's Beer in Seattle, Wash. The night's events kicked off a month-long competition featuring over 100 furry-faced men. All donations benefited foster children in King County. less

Brian Lane, of the "Cinco de Beardo" team, deposits money in a donation can for a competing bearded individual at the kickoff of the fifth annual Beard and Stache Fest on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, at Hilliard's ... more

Attendees view donation cans, seeking their bearded competitor of choice at the kickoff of the fifth annual Beard and Stache Fest on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, at Hilliard's Beer in Seattle, Wash. The night's events kicked off a month-long competition featuring over 100 furry-faced men. All donations benefited foster children in King County. less

Attendees view donation cans, seeking their bearded competitor of choice at the kickoff of the fifth annual Beard and Stache Fest on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, at Hilliard's Beer in Seattle, Wash. The night's ... more

Attendees view donation cans, seeking their bearded competitor of choice at the kickoff of the fifth annual Beard and Stache Fest on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, at Hilliard's Beer in Seattle, Wash. The night's events kicked off a month-long competition featuring over 100 furry-faced men. All donations benefited foster children in King County. less

Attendees view donation cans, seeking their bearded competitor of choice at the kickoff of the fifth annual Beard and Stache Fest on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, at Hilliard's Beer in Seattle, Wash. The night's ... more

Donald Markwick, a three-time second place winner, views competitors' donation cans at the kickoff of the fifth annual Beard and Stache Fest on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, at Hilliard's Beer in Seattle, Wash. The night's events kicked off a month-long competition featuring over 100 furry-faced men. All donations benefited foster children in King County. less

Donald Markwick, a three-time second place winner, views competitors' donation cans at the kickoff of the fifth annual Beard and Stache Fest on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, at Hilliard's Beer in Seattle, Wash. The ... more